Portland has been grappling with a growing issue in recent years: retail theft. East Precinct set up a retail theft mission where suspects were arrested at businesses from Mall 205 all the way to Gateway. In total, 25 individuals were arrested, 16 felony and 15 misdemeanor warrants were serviced, 4 stolen vehicles were recovered, 3 firearms were found by officers, and $24,237 and illegal drugs were seized. Some of the incidents as seen on social media can be brazen with people outright putting items into bags and running out of the store.
Collaborative efforts between law enforcement and businesses targeted organized retail crime and repeat offenders. This included sharing information on theft trends and suspect profiles. Portland Police Bureau’s East Precinct Neighborhood Response Team (NRT) partnered with Multnomah County Transit, Multnomah County Prole and Probation, and the District Attorney’s Office were all involved in the retail theft mission.
Charges ranged from Theft in the Third Degree to Unlawful Possession of a Firearm and Delivery of a Controlled Substance. The list of individuals arrested and charged is below. Oregon has taken progressive steps in criminal justice reform, including measures to reduce sentences for property crimes. Some argue that these changes may have inadvertently encouraged theft.
The economic and social disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have intensified challenges related to unemployment and social services, potentially contributing to theft. Also, substance abuse issues, particularly opioid addiction, can lead to theft as individuals seek to fund their habits. The opioid epidemic has had a significant impact on communities across Oregon.
Retailers face substantial financial losses due to theft, which can lead to higher prices for consumers and potentially job cuts within the retail sector. Small businesses, in particular, can suffer greatly from retail theft, potentially affecting their viability and growth. Shoplifting incidents can sometimes escalate, posing risks to employees, customers, and thieves themselves.
